But Goodyear, a self-described Christian, said religious beliefs – his or anyone else's in government – have no bearing on federal science policy.

"Our decisions on the science and tech file are not based on what one reporter wants to have people believe, which is that religion somehow forms a part of our policy," he said...

Kory Teneycke defended Goodyear's refusal to answer the initial Globe question, arguing that agreeing to discuss his beliefs would have given credence to the idea that religion plays a role in science policy.

"It's a dangerous road to go down to make religious beliefs a part of science funding," Teneycke said.

Um, Gary? When you and your defenders openly admit that you think biological evolution represents a "religious" belief, well, that kind of gives away the game right there, wouldn't you say?

And Canada's position on the worldwide laughing stock-o-meter clicks up one more notch.

AFTERSNARK: Make sure you appreciate something important that happened at that second link. There was this:

Goodyear said he initially refused to answer the Globe question because it was "irrelevant" since his beliefs have nothing to do with government policy...

Kory Teneycke defended Goodyear's refusal to answer the initial Globe question, arguing that agreeing to discuss his beliefs would have given credence to the idea that religion plays a role in science policy.

And yet, suddenly, Goodyear can't shut the hell up about how much he lurrrves the evolution:

But the minister of state for science and technology clarified Tuesday that he does indeed believe in evolution.

"We're evolving all the time," Goodyear said in an interview.

"Of course I believe in evolution."

Um, OK, so what was initially totally out of bounds because we didn't want to drag irrelevant "religious" beliefs into it is suddenly a perfectly acceptable topic of conversation. If I were an enterprising reporter, I might ask just how that happened.

P.S. An enterprising reporter might also ask whether Goodyear still believes biological evolution is a "religious" issue. And, at this point, from Goodyear's perspective, I don't think there's any right answer to that anymore.